Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors (PSSS) is a coalition of over 50 stakeholders - older adults, self-help groups, health care professionals, seniors-serving agencies, addictions staff, government representatives, academics and pharmacists - from across Manitoba who meet together regularly around issues of seniors and substance misuse and abuse.

PSSS has been meeting since 2001 to network, share information and resources, and to develop strategies to create "a society where responsible substance use fosters health and wellness among older adults".

Winnipeg Transit Session Presentations
Travel Training Presentation, Healthy Aging in Canada, Changing Seats, Changing the Dialogue on Ageism, Understanding Co-occurring Disorders in the Older Adult Population, Grandfathers and Well-Being and Stages of Change

As a society we have tended to assume alcohol is not a problem for older adults. Yet older adults are the age group which is most likely to drink alcohol four or more times a week. Older adults also fill an average of 15 prescriptions per year, often take up to 10 different medications at one time and purchase various over-the-counter drugs.

Given this frequency of alcohol use and the heavy use of medications, it would seem reasonable for older adults to be given priority attention in efforts to address problems related to substance misuse and abuse. This appears to be far from the case.

Substance misuse and abuse problems among older adults are often hidden by those involved; unrecognized by service providers; left unaddressed by others; research is limited and service resources remain modest.

Tell us what you think! Click here to link to our on-line survey and tell us your thoughts and concerns regarding substance abuse. Seniors, community and family members are invited to respond.

VIDEO, Let's Talk: Older Adults, Medications and Alcohol - To order a DVD or VHS copy for your community group, or to download accompanying materials, click here, or click the "Video" link on the left.

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